Production Manager

Production Manager

Cambridge Full-Time 55000 - 65000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
George Blake

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a dynamic team in optimising manufacturing operations and driving continuous improvement.
  • Company: Join a well-established engineering firm in Cambridge focused on precision electro-mechanical systems.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a collaborative work culture.
  • Other info: Ideal for those seeking to advance into senior management roles.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-tech environment while fostering a culture of accountability and safety.
  • Qualifications: Degree in engineering or equivalent experience; leadership skills and lean methodology knowledge required.

The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.

Location: Cambridge

Salary: £65,000 – £75,000 (depending on experience)

Sector: Engineering / Advanced Manufacturing

Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent

Are you an experienced Production Manager with a passion for driving operational excellence in a complex, high-tech engineering environment? We are working with an established engineering business based in Cambridge that is seeking a results-driven Production Manager to lead and develop its floor-level manufacturing operations. This is a key leadership role within a growing business unit focused on the assembly of precision electro-mechanical systems.

What You’ll Be Doing:

  • Overseeing a multi-disciplinary team including Production Supervisors, Manufacturing Engineers, and Design Engineers
  • Driving continuous improvement across all manufacturing activities using lean principles
  • Reviewing and optimising daily operational performance metrics including quality, throughput, and efficiency
  • Leading root cause investigations for recurring line stoppages and implementing sustainable corrective actions
  • Collaborating cross-functionally with supply chain, design, sales, and customer service teams to ensure smooth NPI and excellent service delivery
  • Managing team development, training, and performance to foster a culture of accountability and problem-solving
  • Championing Health & Safety compliance and embedding a proactive safety culture across the floor

What You’ll Bring:

  • A strong background in production or manufacturing management, ideally within an electro-mechanical, precision engineering or scientific equipment environment
  • Solid understanding of lean methodologies (e.g. SMED, PFEP, EPEI) and value stream mapping
  • Confident reading and interpreting engineering drawings and applying best practice assembly techniques
  • Strategic thinker with commercial awareness and a hands-on approach to problem-solving
  • Proven leadership skills with the ability to coach and develop high-performing teams
  • Excellent communication and project management abilities

Qualifications & Experience:

  • Degree-qualified in an engineering discipline (or equivalent experience)
  • Chartered Engineer status (preferred, not essential)
  • Demonstrable track record in continuous improvement and successful change implementation
  • Comfortable presenting to senior stakeholders and managing competing technical and commercial priorities

Career Growth:

This role offers genuine progression opportunities into senior management or business unit leadership, within a forward-thinking and collaborative environment.

Interested? If you are a production leader ready to make a measurable impact, we want to hear from you. Apply now or get in touch for a confidential discussion.

Production Manager employer: George Blake

Join a leading engineering firm in Cambridge that prioritises operational excellence and employee development. With a strong focus on continuous improvement and a collaborative work culture, this company offers competitive salaries and genuine opportunities for career progression in a high-tech environment. Employees benefit from a supportive atmosphere that champions health and safety while fostering innovation and teamwork.
George Blake

Contact Detail:

George Blake Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Production Manager

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with lean methodologies and continuous improvement techniques. Being able to discuss specific examples of how you've implemented these principles in past roles will demonstrate your expertise and align with what we're looking for.

✨Tip Number 2

Brush up on your knowledge of electro-mechanical systems and engineering drawings. Showing that you can confidently interpret technical documents will set you apart from other candidates and highlight your suitability for the role.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've developed high-performing teams in previous positions. We value strong leadership, so having concrete examples ready will help you make a great impression.

✨Tip Number 4

Think about how you would approach cross-functional collaboration. Be ready to share experiences where you've successfully worked with different departments, as this is crucial for ensuring smooth operations in our environment.

We think you need these skills to ace Production Manager

Leadership Skills
Lean Methodologies
Continuous Improvement
Operational Performance Metrics
Root Cause Analysis
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Team Development and Training
Health & Safety Compliance
Engineering Drawing Interpretation
Project Management
Problem-Solving Skills
Strategic Thinking
Commercial Awareness
Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in production or manufacturing management, especially in electro-mechanical or precision engineering environments. Use specific examples that demonstrate your leadership skills and familiarity with lean methodologies.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for operational excellence and your ability to drive continuous improvement. Mention your experience with team development and your strategic thinking skills, as these are key aspects of the role.

Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly state your degree qualifications in an engineering discipline and any relevant certifications, such as Chartered Engineer status. Emphasise your track record in continuous improvement and successful change implementation.

Prepare for Interviews: If invited for an interview, be ready to discuss your experience with lean principles and how you've applied them in previous roles. Prepare examples of how you've led teams and managed operational performance metrics, as well as your approach to problem-solving.

How to prepare for a job interview at George Blake

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Production Manager, you'll be leading a multi-disciplinary team. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've successfully developed and motivated teams in the past.

✨Demonstrate Your Lean Methodology Knowledge

Familiarise yourself with lean principles like SMED and value stream mapping. Be ready to explain how you've applied these methodologies to improve operational performance in previous roles.

✨Prepare for Technical Questions

Since the role involves interpreting engineering drawings and applying assembly techniques, brush up on your technical knowledge. Expect questions that assess your understanding of precision engineering and problem-solving capabilities.

✨Highlight Your Communication Skills

Effective communication is key in this role, especially when collaborating with cross-functional teams. Prepare to share examples of how you've successfully communicated complex ideas to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Production Manager
George Blake
Location: Cambridge

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